Page:Science vol. 5.djvu/295

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��Bnffei-8 less from the direct raya of liic aim. nml not nl all from the rettected and radiated heat, entire route IVom Snakin to Berber is Buhject to bents fully equal to those of the vicinity of Snakin, it may he safely asserted that it is impracticable for Eurui^^nn foot- 'soldiers to make the march between those two points dnring the spring and summer months, except by using the iiiglit and early morning exclusively for marching.

The climate of the province of Berber is Tery similar to that of Dongola ; bnt, owing to the effects of the waters of the river Athara, in some parts of this province fevers are more prevalent during the summer montlis, and of a worse type than in Dongola.

In the province of Taka and the district of Oallabat, the climate from Jiiue to October is deadly for Europeans. During that aeaaon the rains are there copious, and, mingling with the floods of water coming down from the mountains of Abyssinia, cause the rich soil to become like a saturated sponge, while the rank vegetation and the exhalations from the soil render the air poisonous. From many districts the natives abandon the country in May, taking with them their families, their flocks and their herds,— to save themselves and their families from fever ; and their Hocks and herds l^m the ravages of the stinging insects which, during the season of rains, infest the oonntry. These people go north to the deserts, ftnd remain until the latter part of October, when they return, to find their own country delightful in climate, and glorious in vegetation. These conditions remain through the winter, ^and the air is healthful until April.

The climate of Khartum is hot, damp, and

iccedingly unhealthy from April until Octo- 'ber. The winter climate is not disagreeable ; J^bnt even in winter the place can hardly be flonsidered healthy, owing to the peculiar loca- tion of the town between the Blue and White Niles. and to lack of sanitary rule in the con- stniction of the streets and houses. During the

It twenty years, moi-e care has been taken

the construction of dwellings : and the con- [ditions arc now more favorable than they for-

irly were.

The province of Kordofan is visited by less rain than that of Khartum or of Taka. During the winter, from the last of October until the let of March, the climate is very agreeable and quite healthy. The prevailing winds are from the north. The temperature is not high, ranging in the middle of the day from 80° to The air is bracing and invigorating, Vrhile the nights are cool and pleasant.

��JIarch. April, and May are there the hottest and most disagreeable season, though not un- healthy. In June the season of fains com- mences, and it lasts until the latter part of September or early October. The winds are then from the south and south-west. The rains come in showers, sometimes daily, but oftener once iu three or four days. The air is debilitat- ing; and fevers, intermittent in form, strike all excepting the natives.

No matter what care may be taken to guard troops from the effects of climate, the death- rate amoug soldiers is always great during this wet season. In an expedition which I sent into that province, well organized, well and very carefully commanded, well supplied, with good medical attendance and good hospital supplies, six per cent of the soldiers died during four months of the season of rains, while during the remainder of the year there were very few deaths.

The climate of Darfur closely resembles that of Kordofan. The rains come at the same time of year, and the sanitary effects of the different seasons are nearly the same ; yet the fevers, according to the reports of the medical ofRcers, seem to be more often severe in type in Darfur than in Kordofan. C P. Stone.

��The protracted duration of totality of the eclipse of Hay, 1883, early attracted the atten- tion of astronomers ; but an examination of its shadow-track on the earth showed the unfortu- nate fact that it would begin in the Pacific just east of Australia, and completely traverse the ocean, finally leaving the earth before the South American continent was reached. Only one eclipse had ever been observed with a greater duration of totality ; and the possibility that an observing-station might be available in the small islands of the South Pacific determinefl Mr. Charles H. Rockwell of Tarrytown, X.Y., to endeavor to organize an observing experli- tion from the United States. Through his representations, the National academy of sci- ences was brought to consider the matter, and it was expected that Professor Young of Princeton woulil have the entire charge of the expedition. Unforeseen circumstances pre- vented this, and the party was Anally oi^an- ized with Professor Holden as chief, and sci-

Krperl of the nilptt npiUUian tn ainllnt Iilaitd, Ifny, JSt^S. In vol. li, of Ihe Memoln of Ihp mUomI UMileniy n(«!- VDCH. Wuhlngun, IBM. Itfi |>.. 7i pi. 4*.

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